{ARC Book Review & $100 Giveaway} Goddess Born by Kari Edgren

Title: Goddess Born
Author: Kari Edgren
Publisher: Carina Press (An ebook first imprint of Harlequin)
Publication Date: May 19, 2014

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Blurb:

Pennsylvania, 1730

Selah Kilbrid keeps a dangerous secret: she has the power to heal.

A direct descendent of the Celtic goddess Brigid, it's Selah's sacred duty to help those in need. But as the last of the Goddess Born living in the New World, she learned from an early age to keep her supernatural abilities hidden. The Quaker community of Hopewell has always been welcoming, but there's no doubt they would see her hanged if her gift was revealed.

When a prominent minister threatens to try her with witchcraft unless she becomes his wife, Selah has only one hope--that her betrothed, a distant cousin from Ireland, arrives as planned. Marrying Samuel would keep her secret safe, preserve her sacred bloodline, and protect her from being charged as a witch.

But when news of Samuel's death reaches the Colonies, Selah is truly on her own. Terrified, she faces an impossible choice--forfeit her powers and marry the loathsome Nathan? Or find an imposter to pose as her husband and preserve her birthright?

*Though this book is NA, it is clean and can be read by any age reader.

This review makes me happy! I'd stopped taking review requests, but when the opportunity came giving me the opportunity to review Goddess Born, I jumped on it. As one of the only NA fantasy books I've read, I'm enthralled. Plus, there is the concept of Brigid, a Celtic goddess, and we all know how much I enjoy this type of mythology. And how long has it been since I've given any book 5 Stars... um, a long freaking time.

Selah's story takes place in 1730, when any woman who appeared a bit odd was considered a witch. Selah happens to be different, in many ways. Her refusal to marry one man sets off a chain of events, risking not only her reputation, but her life as well. Once her father dies, there's little to protect Selah from the rumors she is a witch, especially when her husband-to-be dies at sea. Luckily, this young woman is quick on her feet and stumbles upon a plan that may save her life.

Ms. Edgren serves a delicious helping of fantasy intermingled with a helping of endearing romance. The characters leap off the pages, becoming three dimensional people you'll either love or despise. Selah is a caring girl who is devoted to her community. Her gift in healing has earned her many loyal friends who will stand by her no matter what adversity she faces.

Nathan is a nasty, jealous man who's been fed lies enabling him the ability to blackmail Miss Kilbrid. His interest in the beautiful young lady becomes dangerous when she doesn't return his affections. The list of people who could be passing Nathan Selah's secrets appears to be small, yet becomes greater with every flip of the page.

And then there's Henry, who I loved with all my heart. He plays his part well, protecting a young woman he's known for only a few days. I don't want to discuss him too much because he's the heart of this story, even when you're not certain whether you like him or not. His character provides plenty of warm, fuzzy feelings as well as a bit of drama from time to time.

The twists and turns in Goddess Born are delightful. I never knew who to suspect and was adequately shocked when the true culprit is revealed. Ms. Edgren blended all the intricacies of suspense with those of fantasy and romance. The writing is flawless and creative, evolving into a perfect novel.

Author Kari Edgren has been kind enough to provide us with an amazing giveaway. $100 in the form of a giftcard to Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or $100 added to your PayPal account. 

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{ARC Review} Deeper by Blue Ashcroft

Title: Deeper
Author: Blue Ashcroft
Published: August 3, 2013
Self-Published

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Blurbs:

Rain Wilson isn’t ever going to love again.

It’s a promise she made the day her boyfriend died in a water park accident, one she still blames herself for. Now she’s a senior lifeguard in a new town with a new pool and she’s just going to keep her head down and everyone safe.

Until a mysterious guy follows her into the waves at the pre-season bonfire and kisses her senseless. It’s just one mistake, and Rain is determined to put it behind her, until the dark haired, blue eyed hottie turns out to be her new co-supervisor Knight McAllister.

Knight is hot, tatted, and carrying baggage of his own. He’s not happy about having Rain for a co-supervisor, and he’s even less happy about his attraction to her.

But between lifeguard drama, hot underwater kisses, and a growing attraction between them that can’t be stopped, Knight and Rain are being pulled deeper into their pasts, and realizing that sometimes too much broken can make a relationship impossible.

Then again sometimes it’s the broken parts of us that fit together best.

When I read the synopsis of Deeper, I immediately pushed the request button from Netgalley and smiled like the Cheshire Cat when I was approved. Hot, tatted lifeguards, bonfires, oceans, waterparks... what's not to like? The names Knight and Rain definitely caught my attention. I think I'd melt at the feet of a lifeguard named Knight, seriously.

Short synopsis:

Rain left her home and moved to a place no one knew her after a tragic accident, involving one of her coworkers at the waterpark she worked at the previous summer. She felt responsible for the accident, and came to her new job determined to save everyone--the patrons and her staff. After all, a supervisor should be held accountable for everything happening during their shift. But what happens if when things go beyond her control? She's not one to ask for help, but she's going to have to learn to work with the most infuriating man she's ever known, her co-supervisor, Knight. Unfortunately, they met under less than perfect circumstances and he's less than happy to have her as his partner.

Knight has his own set of tragic circumstances, which lead to his need to protect everyone, especially females he cares about. And when you mix a person who is overprotective with another person who is willing to put herself in dangerous situations so others aren't hurt, well, the waters get a little rough. Knight also lost someone, his girlfriend who he loved. He's not afraid to move on, but he may have chosen the wrong person to fall for, because Rain has a set of rules she's bound herself to--no love, no sex, no life. Okay, maybe the "life" part isn't in there, but Knight believes she isn't really allowing herself to live. Maybe he's right.

My Thoughts:

Overall, I enjoyed Deeper. The plot kept me intrigued, I needed to know what happened next. Knight interested me and Rain interested me. I enjoyed the suspense of each of their stories, for a while, but then I became frustrated. Pieces of their backgrounds are fed to us in flashbacks, but they're trying to be in some sort of a relationship while keeping their entire pasts from each other. No way will this work without some major damage being done to both of them, hurting each of them more.

Obviously, with only 3 stars, there were a number of things that didn't hit me right. I've read a number of NA books that use rape as an emotional heart string, most do it tastefully and bring it around to a lesson or to educate young women on ways to handle certain situations and how to go about reporting the incident and how to find counseling and so forth. AND, they have a single incident, not multiple accounts of inappropriate sexual contact.

Off the top of my mind, I can think of at least three, if not more, instances of inappropriate groping and flat out rape. And other than for the sake of building tension and putting either Amy, Rain, or young girls at the water park in uncomfortable situations, there was little reason behind the plotting. Rain had already done her maturing and growing between the previous summer and the current summer, so it wasn't like the incidences led to an epiphany and she suddenly turned from a weak girl to a strong woman. Knight didn't learn from his past mistakes and suddenly learn to keep girls who'd been raped from committing suicide, something that was never in his control anyway.

Also, the blurb does a horrible job of describing the true details of the book. Rain never actually had a boyfriend. She was never in love. In fact, one part of the book implies Rain meant to reject William, so all the misery she's put herself through is actually for nothing. So this was also a bit off-putting.

But, Knight and Rain's chemistry was undeniably hot. Even with Rain's "no sex" policy, their make-out sessions raised the hairs on my arms and put butterflies in my stomach. Their interactions always appeared sincere and very realistic. The friendships between the coworkers at the water park formed bonds and looked out for each other, the kind of place I would have loved to have worked, friends I would have loved to have made.

Final Opinion:

While I enjoyed the book, I suggest readers be warned of the numerous inappropriate and unwanted sexual situations between young women and men ranging from college-aged to adults. Knight and Rain are both enjoyable characters who have needs. Knight is hoping Rain can fill the holes in his heart, and Rain is refusing to let anyone love her or love anyone. Maybe they can help each other, or maybe they'll fall apart. You'll have to read to find out. 

{ARC Review & Giveaway} Breaking Glass by Lisa Amowitz

Title: BREAKING GLASS
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: July 2013
ISBN: 978-1937053383

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Blurb:

On the night seventeen-year-old Jeremy Glass winds up in the hospital with a broken leg and a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit, his secret crush, Susannah, disappears. When he begins receiving messages from her from beyond the grave, he’s not sure whether they’re real or if he’s losing his grip on reality. Clue by clue, he gets closer to unraveling the mystery, and soon realizes he must discover the truth or become the next victim himself.

Wow! What a debut, Mrs. Amowitz! Breaking Glass is a fast-paced, what-the-hell-just-happened, cement truck full of suspense ride. So grab a drink, get comfy, and hold on. 

One thing YA is not overflowing with is an abundance of thrillers, so it's always refreshing to me when I get my hands on one, especially one this well written, with characters who hold my attention. The one thing I do despise; however, is attempting to review them without giving away the entire plot, but I'll do my best. 

The small town I graduated high school from is what came to mind when I first read about Riverton in this novel. A place where nobody escapes, and those who do are eventually drawn back for one reason or another (so far I have escaped this destiny, knock on wood). They still have the same friends, their kids are all friends, heck even their grandkids are friends; and when lineage stretches that far into the past, there are likely to be a few skeletons skulking in the closets. Just ask Jeremy Glass, or Ryan Morgan, or Susannah Durban. 

Jeremy Glass, our narrator and protagonist, finds himself in the epicenter of lies and deceit. It appears people are talking to him from the grave, his best friend might be a murderer, the girl he loves is not only taken but a tad bit psycho and the adults, well, they're even worse. I mean, why would Jeremy want to quit drinking when his mom is dead, his dad is always workingg; Ryan's dad is a freak; and Susannah's mom is just a straight up trip. Come on, you'd drink your life away, too...right? So what happens when he's forced to sober up?

Nothing good.

People disappear, accidents happen, secrets start spilling, and people die. And every. Single. Person. Seems suspicious. 

Slowly, the secrets unravel and the layers peel apart until you're left with the horrible, naked truth - which is much too little, much too late. Those left living are damaged beyond repair, both physically and emotionally. And, as I've already said, others are dead.

I admit I obsessed over how Breaking Glass would end. I'm a little gun-shy with authors lately. Some seem to enjoy torture just a little too much, but  Lisa wrapped the story up in a fitting manner. Not in a happily ever after, because there's just no way to pull that kind of ending off in a thriller, but I wasn't horrified. The only reason I'm not throwing the fifth star in there is because I felt there were so many great things happening in the story, that some of the characters didn't shine as much as I would have liked them to, other than that, perfect.

I highly recommend Breaking Glass, especially if you're looking for something a little bit different. Lisa Amowitz combined excellent writing with that "dark and twisted" imagination referred to in her bio, and created an edgy and captivating story. 

***Besides the sponsored giveaway below the author bio, I'm also giving away 2 paperback copies, just leave a comment and let me know you stopped by to enter. I'll use Random.org to pick a winner on or about August 1st. My dad will be having surgery on July 31st, so if I'm a day or so late, please be patient.***

Author bio:

Lisa Amowitz was born in Queens and raised in the wilds of Long Island, New York where she climbed trees, thought small creatures lived under rocks and studied ant hills. And drew. A lot.

When she hit her teens, she realized that Long Island was too small for her and she needed to escape. So she went to college in Pittsburgh. Go figure.

On leaving college, Lisa became a graphic designer living in New York City. She eventually married her husband of a zillion years, had two lovely children, and was swept away to a fairy tale life in the Bronx, where, unbelievably there are more trees and wilderness than her hometown. She can see the Hudson River from her kitchen window.

Lisa has been a professor of Graphic Design at her beloved Bronx Community College where she has been tormenting and cajoling students for nearly seventeen years. She started writing eight years ago because she wanted something to illustrate, but somehow, instead ended up writing YA. Probably because her mind is too dark and twisted for small children.

BREAKING GLASS which will be released in July, 2013 from Spencer Hill Press, is her first published work. VISION, the first of the Finder series will be released in 2014, along with an unnamed sequel in the following year. LIFE AND BETH will also be released in the near future, along with graphic novel style art.

Giveaway items:

(1) custom pendant like the one pictured on the book cover

(2) signed ARCS

(1) original work of Breaking Glass related art created and signed by the author.

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You can find an illustrated preview of Breaking Glass called Shards below.

Here are a list of Lisa's upcoming events:

July 18th: Book Launch Party; 7PM @ Womrath Book Shop, Bronxville, NY

July 26: Summer Thriller Chiller Event with Barry Lyga, Kate Brian, Elizabeth Kiem, Alan Zadoff and me!  6:30 PM @ The Voracious Reader in Larchmont, NY


August 18: The third anniversary event of the Hudson Valley YA Society: 4PM @Oblong Books in Rhinebeck, NY

{Blog Tour, #Giveaway & Review} Deity by Jennifer L Armentrout

Oh. My. Gods. The End.

Title: Deity

Series: Covenant Series #3

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Blurb:

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed.

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

Honestly, I'd give it 5 freakin' gazillian stars if someone would let me, but I haven't found any rating scale that allows the whole universe to be given to a singular book.

One word that describes Deity?

GAMECHANGER! The. End.

Oh, the review I want to write, the one that tells you all the ooey-gooey goodness that bled from the pages of this book. The secrets I want to spill. The boys I love. The boys I love to hate. They're all safely enclosed inside this wonderfully amazing novel that I can only tell you so much about, because I want your jaw dropping open, your eyes widening in shock and amazement and shock and horror, just like mine did. I want you to experience Jennifer's ability to pull out all the stops and leave you trembling in the wake of destruction. I want you to experience her ability to pull three people through the pits of hell and make things happen that you couldn't guess in a million years. And what scares me, we are barely half-way through this series. *Shivers as if four thousand spiders scampered across my skin.*

But...I'll tell you what I can, and here they are:

Alex, Seth, and Aiden rock.

People lie.

People do the horizontal mambo.

People die.

What? You want more than that? So difficult...I swear.

If you haven't read this book, you're going to want to catch up on some of the prophecies mentioned in earlier books. You're going to want to reserve a long period of time to sit and read, because you will be unable to put this book down. If you want some hints, see if you can find a Ustream of Jen's floating around, listen carefully. There were things said in a few of those interviews that hinted at certain gods and their appearances. YES! The gods finally begin to appear: the beautiful, the deadly, the ravenous. One by one, they're setting their feet on Earth

Alex continues to be the snarky, butt-kicking girl we've seen from the beginning. She's dreading her 18th birthday and hoping it will be a horrible fluke. The group of people surrounding her are doing everything they can to make sure she's safe, and, amazingly enough, she's playing by the rules. Sort of. She would not be Alex if she behaved completely, would she?

Seth and Aiden are still tearing her to pieces, but the tides are starting to shift and decisions are being made. Marcus and Lucien are beginning to show their true sides, and more than one person is not who you've thought they were. Deacon's sin-sationally amazing, as always. 

The one thing I will remind you all of is this prophecy from Half-Blood, chapter 8 (Thanks Jenny!)

“Sometimes you will mistake need for love. Be careful. The road with need is never a fair one,never a good one. Much like the road you must walk down. Beware of the one who needs.”

Now, while many of you are thinking this specifically applies to our wonderfully arranged love triangle, to which it might, but I also see it in so many other areas of Alex's life. She's constantly forced into people's lives. Some need her, some love her, some love to hate her. Other's just love to irritate her...a certain god, for instance. Deacon, for another.

Now...while I read the ARC, thank you to Spencer Hill Press for allowing me access to the copy, I bought and downloaded Deity today, and I will most likely buy a hard copy also, but I want to leave you with this parting line...

And they all were going to die.
I smiled.

Bwhahahahaha! Now, seriously, the end.

Well, except after you've read Deity, you must hunt down Elixir, Aiden's Novella, and read it immediately!
And, because this review lacked substance, because there's just so little I can say without blowing even one of the dozen OMG moments, when my partner in crime, Miss Kelly McGeer, who's looking for a Seth of her own, finishes Deity, her and I are going to do something major spoilery, with lots of great fan-girling and estrogen riddled fun. I can guarantee, with absolute certainty, that you will absolutely want to hear her opinion!

Here is the Tour giveaway!

From Spencer Hill - 3 winners (INT)

$25 Amazon gift card

Deity

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{A Kristin A Review} Covet by Melissa Darnell

Sorry my review is late guys, but this book is made of everything awesome, from witches to vampires to keepers!

Title: Covet

Series: The Clann Series #2

Author: Melissa Darnell

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: September 25, 2012

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Synopsis:

Dangerous to be together. Painful to be apart.Savannah Colbert knows she broke up with Tristan Coleman for the right reasons. Most of all, to keep from killing him with her new vampire abilities. But try telling her heart. Now, lost in a sea of hostile Clann faces, Sav tries to come to terms with what she's becoming and what that means for her future. And that someone is doing their best to bully her into making a terrible mistake.

Tristan can't believe Sav won't even talk to him. If being apart is her decision, fine. Just don't expect him to honor it. But even as he prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.

A reckoning is coming…and not everyone will survive.

So, I haven't read Crave, book 1 in The Clann Series, but I seriously loved Covet! Every page was filled with twists and turns, love and friendship, allies and enemies. Some of my intuitions were right, others were completely out of this universe.

I want to start by saying, Ms. Darnell created a group of multifaceted characters, both primary and secondary. Anne is one of the strongest female characters I've read about in a long time. She's a true friend to Savannah and the girl knows how to keep a secret. Ron is a protector and stands by Sav's side, regardless of his relationship mishaps with Anne. I'm interested to find out more of what happens to Emily in book 3, until then, I'll have to settle for knowing she holds some intrigue to her.

My first opinion of this book is that it is filled with parents trying too hard to protect their children from the truth while simultaneously pushing them into danger because they do not possess the knowledge, skills, or facts to protect themselves. The conclusion of the book did not alter my opinion one smidgen. 

Tristan's family and the Clann refuse to allow him to see Savannah with "because we said so" as their reasoning. Okay, so Sav's half-vampire and Tristan knows it, what neither understand is why they're still being forced to abide by laws which are, quite literally, centuries old. 

The vampire counsel tells Sav she must stay away from Tristan, but it's not until horrific events come to pass that she finds out exactly why. Luckily for her, she has her dad to help guide and protect her. Sav's father seems to be the only adult in the entire book who has half a clue. Her mother isn't too terrible, but best I can tell, she's spent nearly 17 years keeping Savannah from her destiny only to be completely blindsided by before mentioned horrific events.

I truly enjoyed the first half of the book, but when I reached the 50% mark, I was enthralled. It was a battle for me to put down the book and shut my eyes both nights. I loved Sav and her spunky attitude. She refused to skip school and let the Clann win. She embraced her vampire side, eventually, then she became empowered by her witchiness. Dylan and the Brat Twins became little more than annoying little flees to Sav, even without Tristan by her side. 

Ms. Darnell certainly knows how to keep her readers' attention and throws more WTH moments than teenagers reading Shakespeare. Come on...everyone knows you don't appreciate the classics until you're much older. The pace picks up nicely toward the middle of the book, making it near impossible to put down. Tristan's and Savannah's thoughts are portrayed nicely through alternating first-person POVs. I always love seeing both sides of a story. Leaves less guessing on my part.

And, hey, if you want a small glimpse into what to expect from Consume, book #3, run by HERE and read my interview with Melissa Darnell and enter to win a prize package from HarlequinTeen.

I obtained Covet from NetGalley and HarlequinTeen in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual blog tour.

{ARC Review} The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Lost Prince
Series: The Call of the Forgotten #1
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publication Date: October 23, 2012
Source: NetGalley

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Synopsis:

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’s dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myths and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.

The Lost Prince is a perfect re-submersion back into Julie's fascinating The Iron Fey world, one of the first series I read about Fae, and definitely the series that made me fall in love with all things Fae. Traipsing through Nevernever and the Wyldwood with Ethan, Kenzie, Grimalkin, and Kierran took me back in time, to a place I once imagined could be my home. I know we're supposed to be afraid of Them, but I could get lost in Nevernever and never return. I'd probably end up owing so many promises and favors to Them, I'd never be allowed to leave, though I wonder if I would ever want to.

My name is Ethan Chase.
And I doubt I'll live to see my eighteenth birthday.

Ethan Chase, brother of the Iron Queen - Megan Chase, has quite a history with the Fae. Unfortunately, he was born with "the sight." He can see the creatures lurking in the park, skirting around the edges of the playgrounds, reeking havoc on the unsuspecting. As a young child the Fae kidnapped him and held him hostage, coaxing his sister into a land she never knew existed. The long lost daughter of Oberon, King of the Summer Court, had a destiny no one could have predicted. Along with Puck (AKA Robin Goodfellow - yes, that prankster), Megan rescued her brother, racking up debt after debt from the Fae...not something anyone wants to do. Eventually, Megan became the Queen of the Iron Fae, a race born from the technology of humans, after all - Fae can't exist if humans don't believe.

Thirteen years later, Ethan is still dealing with the repercussions of his birth gift. He's been tossed out of school after school, accused of setting fire to a library, and now, a new breed of monsters haunts Ethan. The one thing Ethan never thought he would do is use the coin Meghan gave him, assuring him a safe passage to her one time. Only under the most dyer of circumstances is he to call in this favor and the time has come.

The swords flashed silver in the dim light, fluid and flexible, almost liquid. There was no block or strike, dodge or parry--the dance was all of these things, and none, all at once.

I admit, I wanted to read The Lost Prince to catch a glimpse of how Meghan, Ash, and Puck were doing in and around the Iron Realm. Ash is my hero and Puck will always have a special part of my heart. The one thing I was unprepared for is how much Ethan despised Ash for taking Meghan away. The words he remembered from his childhood could only leave that impression in Ethan's mind. The brief amount of time Ethan spent near his sister left my completely unsatisfied, but I'm hoping for more in future books. I just want to know how they are doing, that's all I'm asking. :-)

Ethan has found his own way to try to protect the people he cares about. He avoids interaction as much as possible, portraying the brooding male perfectly. The few words he speaks are typically to send people skittering in the opposite direction. However, Ethan has something in common with Meghan besides genetics. He cares about humankind and defends those who are unable to help themselves. He has studied kali,  a form of karate that uses sticks and swords, for years. His skills are remarkable, at least in the human world. When Ethan tried to warn Kenzie away and she continued to dig, she ends up getting tossed into a world she refused  to acknowledge. A world any sane person would refuse to acknowledge.

"Kenzie," I said, taking her hand as the clicking around us grew very loud in my ears, "do you believe in faeries?"

"What?" She blinked at me, looking confused and almost angry that I'd brought up something so ridiculous. "Do I... no! Of course not, that's crazy."

I closed my eyes. "Then, I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't want to do this. But try not to freak out when we get there."

"Get... where?"

Prince Kierran was a surprise and I cannot wait for everyone to meet him. I have a feeling his and Ethan's friendship will be as epic as Puck's and Ash's. Obviously the two of them will be tossing out secret after secret, and taking all sorts of twisting, winding roads, but Kenzie's fate promises to be heart-wrenching.

So, yes, I'm quite certain this review needs some organizing and probably seems as if I'm rambling, which I am because I'm fangirling just a bit over the new Fae world Julie has so creatively weaved. The Iron Knight ranks high on my favorites list and I'm certain several books in The Call of the Forgotten will find their way onto this list and into my heart. After all, Julie Kagawa is the queen of intricately weaved Fae lore and complex worlds. Her characters are complex, shifting from courageous and magnanimous one moment, to soft and broken the next - the true reality of being a young adult.

A perfect start to another amazing series by Julie Kagawa!

*The Lost Prince was received from HarlequinTeen via NetGalley, free of charge, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

{Review & Author Interview} Wrong Bed, Right Guy by Katee Robert

Title: Wrong Bed, Right Guy
Series: Come Undone #1
Author: Katee Robert
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Imprint: Brazen
Publishing Date: July 10, 2012

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Synopsis:

Seducing Mr. Wrong has never felt so right...

Prim and proper art gallery coordinator Elle Walser is no good at seducing men. Heck, she’s been throwing hints at her boss for months, but he’s completely clueless. Desperate to escape her mother’s matchmaking efforts, she comes up with a plan—buy some lingerie and climb into her boss’s bed. The plan goes brilliantly…until she accidentally seduces a sexy stranger instead.

Bad boy nightclub mogul Gabe Schultz just had the best almost-sex of his life. Too bad the smoking hot blonde thought he was his brother and bolted before he could finish what they started. Though her holier-than-thou attitude puts a serious damper on his mood, Gabe’s never been one to give up on something he wants. And he wants Elle. But does a man who lives on the dark side really have a chance with a proper lady?

I LOVED this book. I laughed so hard reading the first chapter my stomach hurt the next day. Before I go into why, I should probably tell you a thing or two about the book or you might be lost.

Elle, like most heroines in romances, has been burned by her ex-boyfriend. He cheated and lied and coerced Elle into bed, then he broke up with her in front of all her friends. Talk about a winner! Now Elle is weary but has decided to make her move. Art is her life and her brother helped her land the perfect job working with one of his service buddies in an upscale art gallery. Nathan seems like her type of guy, or the type of guy her mom would approve of. Gorgeous. Clean cut. Smart. Everything a proper girl needs. 

Elle finally gives into her desires and decides to seduce Nathan. Now, this is why I would NEVER try something like this. Elle sneaks in Nathan's studio late one night, intending on creeping into bed with him and, well, you get the point. But the man in Nathan's bed was not Nathan, but his very sexy brother, Gabe, and Gabe is anything but the type Elle, and her mom, have in mind. In fact, he reminds Elle of her ex, and she had no plans on dating anyone like him.

Gabe is my type of man. He knows the really great places to eat are the dives. He likes to dance and hangs out at clubs for a living. He's a darn good tattoo artist and has an eye for art. The ink on his body is unique, depicting mechanical armor and Elle literally has fantasies of licking every inch of him.

I have two minor problems with this book. The first is one you just have to overlook if you like romances. They all follow the same formula. Girl meets boy. Girl finds tons of reasons not to like boy, but falls for him anyway. Guy screws up, or girl misinterprets something she sees. Boy apologizes. Girl accepts. Everyone lives happily-ever-after. The second though, had my internal grown woman screaming. Elle had a crazy obsession with pleasing her mother. Elle's grown, with a college education, and a good job. If she finds a man who treats her right and that she loves, she needs to stand up to her mom. 

That said, I seriously recommend this book when you are looking for a feel-good romance. Something light, without too much angst. It's hot and sexy and funny. Ms. Robert's writing had me captivated, and seriously, the first chapter...so funny you'll have to keep reading.

And now, an interview with Katee Robert!

Kristin:  Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you live?

I’m just your average neurotic author, complete with zombie plan. I live in Eastern Washington, and it’s a beautiful thing because I get the best of both worlds—a little, big town and plenty of outdoors to play in. Plus, I have a serious soft spot for rednecks in big trucks and they’re everywhere out here.

   ***Outside of some major weather differences, sounds a lot like Texas.***

Kristin:  What is the name of the book you are currently promoting and would you like to tell us a little about it?

Wrong Bed, Right Guy is a book about a good girl who literally crawls into the wrong bed. Instead of finding her straight-laced boss, she gets her world rocked by his bad boy older brother. It’s a fun story full of “Oh my God, that just happened” moments.

     ***Seriously, this is a story that would happen to me!***

Kristin:  Where did you come up for the idea for your book?

It came from a conversation with my editor about plot lines she doesn’t like. I told her I’d write her a Wrong Bed book that she’d love. From there, I got the idea of this hardcore bad boy who wanted to woo a good girl and had no idea how to go about it. From there, things kind of fell into place (with a whole lot of work).

     ***I'm just going to say, I love the word woo. I think it's one of the funniest words ever.***

Kristin:  Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

It’s like picking a favorite kid (so wrong!). Though I enjoy Elle, Gabe is…Gabe. He’s got that hard exterior that covers up a vulnerability that sent me head-over-heels in love with him. I want a Gabe of my own. ;) 

     ***Me too. Enough said.***

Kristin:  Do you feel like you put parts of yourself in your characters?

Oh, good question. I don’t think so. I mean, yes, bits and pieces of my experiences work their way into my books, but the characters (in my head at least) are their own creatures. 

Kristin:  Will there be a sequel or do you have another project in the works?

Yes.  There’s actually two more books in the Come Undone series. The next one is Ian’s (Elle’s older brother) and the final one will be Nathan’s (Gabe’s younger brother).

     ***Both of these stories will be on my TBR list.***

Kristin:  How long did the entire process from writing your current work to getting it published take?

Oh Lordy. With Wrong Bed, Right Guy, I think it was two months from start to finish. Which is a freak incident. Normally, it takes longer. But I used Candace Havens’ Fast Draft course to whip this book out (didn’t hurt that it was fully formed in my head), and so I wrote and edited it in a pretty short time.

Kristin:  Do you have any “rituals” when you write?

I have a Katee-shaped dent in one of the cushions on my couch. The rituals (music, movies, whatnot) change from book to book, but I’m always in that spot while writing. I suppose someday I should get a desk.

     ***I have a Kristin-shaped dent in my sofa so I completely see your point.***

Kristin:  If you couldn’t be an author, but anything else…what would you be?

Working in a bookstore? I know, I know. No one is surprised.

     ***I'm a nurse at heart, but I really want to work in a bookstore.***

Kristin:  Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?

Keep writing. Rejection will happen (a whole lot), but if you keep writing, you’re already doing better than most people out there. A healthy dose of insanity helps too.

Kristin:  When did reading and writing become important you?

My grandparents were instrumental in the process. My grandpa told us countless stories that he made up on the spot and my grandma would sit for hours and read to me. I still have the copy of Heidi we read over and over again. From there, things took their natural course and I devoured everything I could get my hands on.

Fun Stuff

Kristin:  The apocalypse is coming…what do you do?

I have three contingency plans (and we’re going with zombies here, because… zombie apocalypses happen!). Best case, my friend’s parents have 650 acres and a house that’s easily defensible, as well as access to a huge food supply. There’s also a gun safe up north of town waiting for me to get to if I need it.

Basically, all my plans revolve around making people love me enough to take care of me when the zombie attack. Aside from my (totally obvious) entertainment factor, I don’t have a whole lot of applicable skills. LOL

     ***Hmmm...pretty thought out plan! We may have to join Ms. Robert!***

Kristin:  What 5 things are within your reach right now? No cheating?

Blanket, phone, coffee, sunscreen (WTF?!) and lotion. Oh…. That sounds like I’m having dirty fun.

    ***LOL***

Kristin:  Favorite Food?

Thai

Kristin: Favorite Movie?

I can’t pick just one! A Perfect Getaway, Princess Bride and Shaun of the Dead

Kristin:  Favorite TV show?

Game of Thrones and Supernatural (I KNOW! I suck at this game)

     ***Supernatural Rocks, I think most readers would agree. Who doesn't love a little Dean and Sam?***

Kristin: Favorite Song?

Flogging Molly, Devil’s Dance Floor

Kristin:  Favorite singer or band?

Florence + The Machine

Kristin:  One food you would never try?

Oh…huh. I promised myself I’d try anything that was made locally whenever I travel so I’m afraid to answer this…because I’ll totally end up being forced to eat it.

     ***Good call!***

Kristin: Health nut or junk food junkie? 

Junk food. Always junk food.

Kristin: The most exotic food you have ever eaten?

Moose burgers. LOL

Kristin:  Day on the beach or snow skiing down a mountain?

Beach

Kristin: Two books you think everyone should read. (Yes, you can and should include yours.)

Well, if we’re going mine: Wrong Bed, Right Guy. Second book is Tiffany Reisz’s The Siren. That book ruined me for…awhile after I read it. Definite book hangover. <3

My last question on these interview's is always places my readers can stalk you at! I've already included Katee's links up top! Stop by and visit her. Her book is funny and the answers to her questions are great!

{ARC Review} Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publication Date: July 31, 2012
Source: NetGalley

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Synopsis:


"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

"An edgy romance that pulls you in and never lets go. I was hooked!"-Gena Showalter,  New York Times bestselling author of the Intertwined series.

It's been a long long time since I've given any book 5 Stars but Pushing the Limits pulled me in from the first page and held my attention to the very last! Dark, edgy, and perfect. Need I say more? Okay, probably...so I will.

Honestly, I was going to wait and write this review in a couple of days but I was discussing it with my girls over at Starbooks and I became inspired. I've never been much of a contemporary fan, but I'm finding myself reading more and more of them lately. I think it's because I love the darkness of paranormal romance and contemporary tends to be light-hearted and a little too happily-ever-after for me. Not a problem with Katie McGarry's debut Pushing the Limits.

Two teens who have been through traumatic and horrifying life-altering events. One withdraws into herself and the other becomes the bad boy you can't help but love. If Noah and Echo could be summed up as "withdrawn" and "typical bad boy" then 5 stars wouldn't be called for. Fortunately, Ms. McGarry has created deep and complex characters who embodied so many emotions I sometimes felt a little overwhelmed. But...people, especially hormonal teenagers, are never as clearly cut and simple as some writers would have you believe.

"My father is a control freak, I hate my stepmother, my brother is dead and my mother has...well...issues. How do you think I'm doing?" - Echo

So many times when an author writes about tragedies I feel like I am standing on the outside looking in. I connected with Echo instantly. Because Echo has suppressed her "incident," the reader discovers what happened to her as Echo remembers the bits and pieces. Watching her put the puzzle together created a perfect amount of suspense. Gosh...I really don't want to write any spoilers, but I can't really avoid this one. Spoiler Warning: Even though I knew Echo should avoid her mother at all costs, I completely understood her need to seek her out. Partially because Echo needed to understand why her mom did what she did and partially just because her mom is her mom...you know? Spoiler over!

"I wrote about the person I love the most, my older brother, Noah. We don't live together so I wrote what I imagine he does when we're not together."

"And what is that?" prodded the stout man.

"He's a superhero who saves people in danger, because he saved me and my brother from dying in a fire a couple of years ago. Noah is better than Batman." The crowd chuckled.

"I love you, too, lil' bro." - Noah and his brother Jacob.

And Noah...well, let's just say WOW! Talk about a young man with issues who has handled them horribly, but I understood every broken piece of him and could imagine myself reacting in the same ways. There's so much depth to his character. Yes, he is the pot-smoking, gave up on life, who gives a damn guy...at least on the outside. Internally, he has two younger brothers he loves and wants nothing more than to assure they are safe. Victims of a horrible house fire that took their parents, these three boys got thrown into the "system" and separated. Noah's innate instinct to protect all children earns him the reputation of being unstable and violent, so his visitation rights with his brothers range from monthly supervised to nonexistent. But Noah doesn't give up easily. Noah's love for his brothers and their family bond brought a whole other level of emotional attachment to his story.

We'd read about sirens in English this fall; Greek mythology bullshit about women so beautiful, their voices so enchanting, that men did anything for them. Turned out that mythology crap was real, because every time I saw her, I lost my mind. - Noah

Noah earned my love and devotion not only because of his blood family devotion but his devotion to foster siblings too. Anybody who is as protective and supportive as Noah is innately good, no matter how much they wish otherwise. I actually think Noah reminds me a bit of my oldest daughter who has told me on more than one occasion that she's tired of "always being the good girl." I simply remind her that she knows who she is deep inside, no matter what she does or doesn't do. 

"Do I need to contact your social worker?"

I headed for the door. "Go ahead. What is she going to do? Rip my family apart? Put me in the foster care system? Continue to dig and you'll see you're too late."

"When was the last time you saw your brothers, Noah?"

My hand froze on the doorknob.

"What if I could offer you increased supervised visitation?"

I let go of the doorknob and sat back down. - Noah and Mrs. Collins

Mrs. Collins may be my favorite adult character in a YA book ever. She's new to the school system but a completely awesome clinical social worker. Whether she meant for the outcome to be what it was or not, she understood both Echo and Noah on a level no one else ever could. Pairing them accomplished much more than I expected and their characters complimented each other perfectly.

"Baby, no one would ever make the mistake of using the word ugly with you. Especially with me around. He pushed the curls off my face, his fingers leaving a burning trail. "Everything about you is beautiful and sexy as hell." - Noah

Both Noah and Echo have so much to overcome and Noah has so much to fight for, including Echo. Their emotional roller-coaster caused the deepest parts of my soul to ache. I wanted to jump in the book and fix everything for them, as impossible as it would be. I think that's where my attachment to Mrs. Collins came from. She always had Noah's and Echo's best interests in mind, even when they didn't like or trust her. And...Mrs. Collins doesn't dwell on making them like her, she gains their trust with actions as opposed to words. Nothing comes easy for any of them, but eventually, things do come together.

I kissed her lips. Soft, full, warm--everything I'd fantasized it would be and more, so much more. Echo hesitantly pressed back, a curious question for which I had a response. I parted my lips and teased her bottom one, begging, praying, for permission...She opened her mouth, her tongue seductively touching mine, almost bringing me to my knees. Flames licked through me as our kiss deepened. Her hands massaged my scalp and neck, only stoking the heat of the fire. - Noah

The book is written in first person from both Echo's and Noah's perspectives. Since I had an egalley from NetGalley, the POV's bled into each other. I'm certain the finished product will be better defined. I loved getting inside Noah's head and seeing his heart-ache. I know some people don't like dual POV's and for so long, it was a huge No-No, but I love seeing more than one side of the story. I'm one of those nosy people who want to know what the other main characters are thinking and third person omniscient sometimes seems a step or two removed for me. 

My final thoughts:

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry is a book filled with warring emotions. Pain and numbness. Loss and gain. Heart-ache and love. Dark intermingled with moments of light. Brutality and gentleness. Two teenagers who lose everything separately and then find their way together. There is nothing I didn't love about this book. The emotions are raw and gripping, the friendships real and imperfect, and the romance is slow burning, building into a heated flame of passion.

Side note: If there were any problems with the writing, I was too absorbed in the story-line to notice. Ms. McGarry's world-building and story-telling skills rocked my world!

*This book was obtained via NetGalley and HarlequinTeen Publishing in exchange for my honest review. No money exchanged hands. Both the cover-art and the synopsis were obtained from Goodreads for the soul purpose of this review.

{ARC Review} The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Release Date: April 24, 2012

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Synopsis:

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

A dystopian vampire-ruled society...what's not to like? The Immortal Rules is the first book in Julie Kagawa's new series Blood of Eden. I absolutely adored her Iron Fey series and feel she is off to a great start with this novel. Julie's world-building and character development amaze me. Her worlds are always imaginative but, somehow, still realistic. Her protagonists are strong-willed, both mentally and physically, but also humanly flawed.

Summary:

The world in The Immortal Rules is dystopian, meaning that society is oppressed and disintegrating under some type of government...in this case, vampires rule. Humans are either Registered or Unregistered. Registered meaning that the vampires keep track of you, collect blood for their feeding from you, and, in return, the vampires provide you with food and necessities. Unregistered humans are able to easily slip through the cracks, because, in the vampires' eyes, they didn't exist. This also means the Unregistered aren't given a meal ticket, leaving bands of misfits to scavenge for food and supplies. If an Unregistered is caught stealing, imminent death is certain..

Allie is a young Unregistered living with three other teenagers in an abandoned schoolhouse, struggling to survive. They depend on each other for food and protection. Lucas, Rat, Stick, and Allie attempt to stay under the radar of the Prince of their city. Before her death, Allie's mother taught her to read, a rarity in this particular society. Knowledge of any sort can cause humans, Registered and/or Unregistered, to become Taken and used by the vampires.

It doesn't take long for Allie to lose more than just her parents. She loses the only friends she has ever known and her own life as a human. Nothing can keep her from dying, but Kanin can make her immortal. Kanin is bluntly honest with her. She will, from the point she turns, always be a monster. Nothing changes that fact. She will kill a human, no matter how hard she tries not to...it will happen. Even with this information, Allie makes the only choice she can, she allows Kanin to turn her and teach her how to become a vampire. 

Allie's journey with Kanin is only the beginning. Once he has taught her all he can, she must set off on her own path and learn to survive without his protection. Along the way, she discovers a group of humans searching for Eden...the proverbial promised land. The choices she makes along her travels will eventually define her as a person and a vampire. She begins to realize that hiding her true nature is going to be extremely difficult...especially as her feelings for Zeke grow into something more than friendship. Holding on to her humanity is important to Allie and the lengths she takes to save her new friends might be the one thing that gives her away.

My Opinion:

I loved the storyline. A dystopian vampire society is a unique and intriguing concept. I also appreciated the fact that Julie made no qualms with including Christian beliefs and ideologies in The Immortal Rules. Her candor with not only Allie's, but with all of the going-to-Eden pack's, beliefs--or loss of belief, as the case maybe--is refreshing to see in writing. 

Allie is a strong female lead, who does what she must to survive, but...she also has flaws and battles internally about what is right and wrong. Occasionally, she makes the wrong decisions and suffers the consequences of her actions. Although she is a strong character, it took me a while to "like" her.

Several things about this novel didn't bode well with me. First, I am a dialogue-from-the-word-go girl. I love character interaction and character driven literature. I felt like there was too much world-building and information dumping in the first quarter of the book. For me...it dragged. Second, I didn't feel like all the "vampire lore" was needed. Honestly, Julie's vampires were traditional...they didn't sparkle, they couldn't go out in the sun, they had to live off human blood, they were virtually immortal...all of this was explained in great detail. If you've read a vampire novel...even Twilight, where the vampires were not your everyday vamps...you know these specifics about traditional vampires. Lastly, and I know many disagree, but I needed more romance in this book. I love romance and I don't mind the insta-love thing if it's written believably. There is very, very little romance in The Immortal Rules.

The Result:

All things combined...awesome and not-so-awesome...I am giving this book 3 Stars. However, I don't want anyone to get the wrong message...I loved the book and YES, I will be reading the rest of the series. Julie's writing continues to captivate me and take me to unique and interesting worlds.

*I acquired this copy of The Immortal Rules from NetGalley and HarlequinTeen in exchange for my honest review.